KILGORE & THIEL EARN PSAC SWIMMING AWARDS

            Clarion University’s Adley Kilgore (Sr. Airville/RedLion) and Ryan Thiel (Fr. Ligonier/Ligonier Valley) were recently honored by the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference).

            Kilgore was named the PSAC’s Men’s Swimming “Athlete of the Year” and Thiel the PSAC’s Men’s Swimming “Rookie of the Year”, by vote of the men’s swimming coaches.

            Kilgore, a senior, and Thiel, a freshman, led the Golden Eagles to a second place finish at the PSAC Championship and a 12th place finish at the NCAA Division II Nationals.

            At the NCAA’s, Kilgore placed third in the 50 freestyle and set a new Clarion record with a time of 20.36. He was also 15th in the 100 freestyle, plus led four All-America relays. The 200 free relay finished third (1:22.92), the 200 medley relay was eighth (1:33.35), and the 400 free and 400 medley relays were 13th.

            At the PSAC’s in 2007 Kilgore won the 50 freestyle (20.60), was 6th in the 100 butterfly and led two winning relays in the 200 medley (1:33.52) and the 200 free (1:22.51). The 400 free and 400 medley relays were second.

            Kilgore finished his Clarion career as a 16-time D-II All-American. A Liberal Studies major, he is the son of Rudy and Victoria Kilgore of Airville, Pa. He was a 2003 graduate of Red Lion High School.

            Thiel, a true freshman, was a 4-time NCAA Division II All-American as a freshman. He was on the third place finishing 200 free relay, the 8th place 200 medley relay and the 13th place finishing 400 free and 400 medley relays.

            At the PSAC’s Thiel placed in all 7 events he swam. He was third in the 50 freestyle (20.98), 5th in both the 100 free and 200 free races, plus helped the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay to winning performances. He was also on the second place finishing 400 free and 800 free relays.

            Thiel, a Communication major, is the son of Jack and Bonnie Thiel of Ligonier. He was a 2006 graduate of Ligonier Valley High.

            “Adley and Ryan had outstanding seasons here at Clarion,” praised head coach Mark VanDyke. “We congratulate them on these prestigious honors.”